Tipping tour guides in AustraliaYour tour guide can make or break your experience when travelling - so when you find a great guide in Australia do tip them the standard 10%. Tips are equally welcome whether you're taking a private, multi-day, or walking tour.
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Tipping is not mandatory but the staff always appreciates it. Stick to the 10-15% rule, which is considered very generous. They do provide tip jars in some restaurants, cafes and pubs; if you desire, leave some small change in the jar. Note: The service in Australia is a lot more laid back than in many other countries.
There are exceptions if your specific tour experience includes gratuities or you simply didn't have a good time, but in general, tipping your guide at the end of the tour is customary in the U.S. and Europe, though it's much more common in the States.
Most etiquette experts suggest a tip of 10-20% of the cost of a tour for outdoor guides like ours. A typical gratuity on a full-day tour is $20-$40 per person, and on a half-day trip, $15-$20 per guest.
If I arrange for a driver for the day or days and then get a tour guide for a specific part, I tip them separately as each was hired separately. In many cases, the tour guide IS the driver so only one tip.
Guides who are self-employed receive the entire payment therefore, much like having the owner of a beauty salon doing your hair, you aren't expected to tip them. A private tour guide with an agency is likely making better than minimum wage but would still very much appreciate the tip.
But beyond good manners, tipping injects cash into the local economy, which is really the big benefit of small group tourism. By tipping in local currency, you're making sure money is going to those who deserve it most. Tips don't pass through any third party (not even Intrepid).
Australia's national minimum wage is far more generous, making tips a bonus rather than a means of survival. And with the significant increase in cost of living this year, a tip on top of the ballooning bill could send some spending accounts over the edge.
The minimum wages have been revised in Australia, effective 01 July 2023. The national minimum wage is increased from $21.38 to $23.23 per hour and $812.44 to $882.80 per week. Note: This minimum wage increase might not reflect the inflationary trends.
About.com has a Tipping Guide for travelers that further suggests that the tour guide should receive a tip of 10% to 20% of the tour cost. As a last thought, the guide still needs to earn his or her tip. Just with any other profession, the tip should match the level of service.
The average tip amount for an outdoor or backcountry guide is between 10% and 20% of the tour cost per person. For example, if the tour price was $1,000 per person, then the acceptable tip should be between $100 and $200 per person depending on the level of service provided by the guide.
Just as in Japan, it is not customary to tip in China. Tipping in China is generally uncommon and can even be considered rude or embarrassing in some circumstances so when taking a taxi, enjoying a refreshing drink or tucking into a delicious meal there's no requirement to leave any gratuities.